La Chandeleur - Candlemas

Hello! Today we will talk about Candlemas, in French it's La Chandeleur.

Originally Candlemas is a Christian feast, celebrating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple, but also a feast of gluttony, Candlemas takes place every year on February 2, 40 days after the Christmas festivities.

The Candlemas, or candlelight festival, has also a Latin and pagan origin. Today, Candlemas is known as pancake day - a day dedicated to eating crêpes.

The tradition comes from Pope Gelasius I, who distributed crêpes to pilgrims arriving in Rome.


On this occasion, the French take out their special flat pans (la poêle à crêpes) or a magical contraption called la crêpière (see photos), and start baking pancakes (les crêpes).

la crêpière

la crêpière


la poêle à crêpes

la poêle à crêpes











There is still today a whole tradition linked to the making of crêpes: A custom of Candlemas consists of  flipping the crêpes in the air with the right hand while holding a gold coin or some other coin in the left hand, in order to have prosperity throughout the year. One has to ensure that the pancake lands properly back in the pan.

And you? Do you like pancakes (crêpes)? 😀

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